We’ve been chatting with quite a few farmers about soil pH lately...

And almost everyone's getting the same advice:

"Just apply some more lime."

And look, we get it.

Lime is the go-to “quick fix” for low pH...

And sometimes you need that immediate solution if the situation is dire.

But here's something worth thinking about:

If lime is fixing your pH... why is it needed every 2-3 years?

The truth is, while lime addresses the symptom...

It's not actually fixing what's causing pH problems in the first place.

So let's talk about what's really going on in your soil...

You see, most farmed Australian soils naturally sit at a neutral pH when they're healthy.

(Although some Australian Natives do naturally thrive in slightly acidic soils.)

The key player in this balance?

Calcium.

(The key active ingredient in lime.)

Calcium helps balance soil pH by neutralising excess acid in your soil - it's like your soil's natural balancing system.

But it only works when the calcium is bioavailable (meaning your soil can actually access and use it).

But here's what most farmers don't realise:

About 90% of Australian soils already have adequate calcium levels...

You can easily see this for yourself - dig into your soil and look for:

• Limestone
• Sand
• Gypsum
• Chalk
• Marl

If you spot any of these, you've already got plenty of calcium in your soil.

So why isn't it working to balance your pH?

Because it's "locked up" - it's there, but not in a bioavailable form your soil can actually use.

The reason?

Long term use of synthetic inputs is the main culprit. As they kill off the essential microbes that make calcium bioavailable.

Think of it this way…

Just like how your gut needs good bacteria to help digest food properly.

Your soil needs specific beneficial microbes to "process" calcium and make it available (we'll cover exactly which ones shortly).

When these microbes are missing or out of balance ...

…all that calcium in your soil just sits there, unable to do its job of maintaining proper pH.

That's why adding more lime is often just a temporary fix.

The good news?

There's a more sustainable and effective way to approach this.

In healthy soil, mycorrhizal fungi naturally break down and unlock calcium (and phosphorus).

This unlocked calcium does exactly what lime does - it neutralises soil acidity and balances pH - but it happens naturally and continuously.

And that's your ticket out of needing to apply lime every 2-3 years…

But here's the important part:

While these fungi are crucial for balancing soil pH...

…just adding mycorrhizal fungi alone isn't the answer.

You need a complete spectrum of soil biology working together.

Why?

Mycorrhizal fungi rely on other microorganisms to survive and function properly.

Without the right balance of bacteria, other beneficial fungi, and microbes, they simply can't do their job effectively.

It's about restoring your soil's entire biological system...

So the fungi in your soil can break down calcium and naturally balance pH.

And when you restore this full biological balance to your soil...

pH typically returns to neutral within just 3-6 months.

(Compare that to constantly having to apply lime every 2-3 years.)

By restoring your soil's complete biological system:
• Your existing calcium becomes accessible
• pH naturally balances back to neutral
• Phosphorus becomes more accessible to your plants
• You don’t need to add lime every 2-3 years

Is it as quick as applying lime?

No, we won't pretend it is.

But it's the difference between actually fixing the problem...

Versus just treating the same symptom indefinitely.

And here's something interesting to consider:

Typical lime applications cost between $32-$40 per acre ($79-$99 per hectare) every 2-3 years…

Plus you're still paying for regular fertiliser applications on top of that.

Our base Microbe Mix costs $34 per acre ($84 per hectare)...

And it doesn't just fix your pH issues - it also replaces your need for fertiliser among many other benefits.

(We do offer additional mix add-ons that increase up to $40 per acre ($99 per hectare), but these aren't necessary for solving pH problems.)

So for the same cost as one lime treatment...

You could start rebuilding the biology that keeps your pH in check while also replacing the need for fertiliser for years to come.

If you'd like to learn more about how our Liquid Microbe Mix helps restore this complete biological balance, click here.

Or give Darren a call on (08) 8233 0804 if you'd like to chat about your specific soil situation.

Talk soon,

Darren & Ryan Kuchel
Microstart Farming

P.S.

With autumn rains approaching, now's the perfect time to start rebuilding your soil biology.

The combination of moisture and warmth creates ideal conditions for beneficial microbes to establish themselves.

You can learn more about our microbe mix by scrolling down and clicking the "Learn More" button below.